The West Georgia Wolves ended a three game losing streak when they defeated the Florida Tech Panthers 28-14 in Carrollton on Halloween night.
The win came at the perfect time for the Wolves, who had previously dropped three straight games to Gulf South Conference opponents.
“We [UWG] got to four wins and it has taken us four weeks to get to number five,” said UWG head coach Daryl Dickey. “I think the kids felt the pressure, they really wanted to get this win.”
The Wolves had a big game from their senior running back Quan Jones who collected his third 100 yard rushing game of the season. Jones finished with 136 yards rushing on 24 carries and one touchdown.
He reached the end zone from one yard out right before half time, his score gave the Wolves a 21-7 lead at the break.
But the Panthers, who are a first year football team, made things interesting in the second half when senior quarterback Bobby Vega connected with Xavier Milton for a four yard touchdown that brought the score to 21-14.
The game went back and forth in the fourth quarter, with Florida Tech looking to reach the end zone again and tie the game. But the Wolves cracked down defensively two different times in the fourth quarter to give West Georgia the edge.
Junior defensive back Trenton Edwards made an amazing play when he intercepted Vega’s pass down the sideline. The next Panther drive ended in a similar way, only this time the Wolves forced Florida Tech to turn the ball over on downs.
“We needed to win the turnover battle tonight and we did, we got some good turnovers at the right times,” said Dickey. “The defense rose to the occasion, played well, and got the stops when they needed to.”
The Wolves gave up a few big plays here and there over the course of the game but always seemed to make the big defensive stand when it mattered most.
“We kept fighting and got the turnovers,” said junior linebacker Tyrell Adams, who finished the game with a team-high twelve tackles.
After the Panthers turned the ball over on downs the Wolves then went 77 yards on four plays to score the games last touchdown and bring the score to its final of 28-14.
Jones broke off a long run up the middle that went for 33 yards before senior quarterback Austin Trainor connected with junior wide receiver Earvin Anumgba for a 33-yard touchdown.
Trainor threw for 94 yards on 9-15 passing with two touchdowns. His other touchdown was from 13 yards out when he connected with fellow senior Bobby Burum in the first quarter.
Junior running back Seth Hinsley scored the other touchdown for the Wolves when he reached the end zone from four yards out in the second quarter. Hinsley finished with 91 yards rushing on 14 carries to go along with his touchdown.
